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purpose. "If we mean anything," he urged, "let us signify it by our action. If we believe we have rights which have been violated, we should assert them as becomes a great nation. I would give the President the power to determine what our rights are, and power to assert them in a way not to be mistaken." New York, 30th January. The correspondence between Prince Bismarck and Mr. Bayard in reference to the events in Samoa has been published. The German Imperial Chancellor charges the American Consul with Inciting the natives to create disturbances, while Mr. Bayard makes similar charges against the German officials.

[Extract from the Times, Friday, Ist February, 1889.] The Samoan Question. Philadelphia, 31st January. President Cleveland has sent to Congress more correspondence on Samoan affairs. In his message Mr. Cleveland says that last Monday the German Minister, Count Arco-Valley, informed the Secretary of State that a proposition from Germany to the United States for a Conference on the subject of Samoa had left Berlin by mail on Saturday last and would soon arrive. On being asked whether this meant a renewal of the joint Conference between Germany, England, and the United States, suspended in July, 1887, or a consideration of Samoan affairs ab ovo, the German Minister professed his inability to answer till the letter arrived. The Senate continues to discuss the Samoan question, and the Senators of both parties show irritation at German aggression. Later. The Senate has passed all the amendments to the Diplomatic Bill, including a vote of money for the enforcement of American rights in Samoa. Auckland, 31st January. Intelligence has been brought here to-day from Samoa by the steamer " Wainui" that the German authorities have declared war in the name of the Emperor against Mataafa, the chief proclaimed King by the partisans of the ex-King Malietoa in opposition to Tamasese, the German nominee. The Germans have notified their intention of searching all vessels for contraband of war, and have suppressed the Samoan Times. A passenger by the " Wainui," who visited Mataafa's camp, was arrested, but afterwards released in compliance with the demand of the British Consul. Before the declaration of war the German Consul visited Mataafa, but the interview was without result. A Proclamation has been issued placing the police in Apia under German control. Mataafa occupies an entrenched position. His forces now number six thousand, and a large number of Samoans are flocking to his standard. No further fighting had taken place up to the time of the " Wainui's " departure. On the arrival at Samoa of the steamer " Eichmond," from Auckland, the Germans placed three officials on board to search the vessel.

[Extract from the Times, Saturday, 2nd February, 1889.] The Australasian Federal Council. Hobart, Ist February. The Australasian Federal Council to-day adopted an address to the Queen praying that the Council might be furnished with copies of the treaties relating to affairs in the Pacific, and also, in view of the present anxiety concerning the Samoan question, urging the importance of maintaining existing treaties. The Governor was requestsd to cable the address to London.

[Extract from tho Times, Saturday, 2nd February, 1889.] The Samoan Question. Philadelphia, Ist February. The Senate has passed the Diplomatic Appropriation Bill, which includes all the Samoan votes for the Pagopago coaling-station, &c. It will become law within a few days. Mr. Blacklock, American Consul in Samoa, informs the Secretary of State that war has been declared against Mataafa, and martial law proclaimed, by the German Consul at Apia. The Cabinet has had a long session on Samoan affairs, but the decision arrived at has not transpired. The Navy Department is hurrying forward the completion of the steel cruiser " Charleston "at San Francisco. The vessel will be ready for sea in thirty days. Later. The President this afternoon sent to Congress more Samoan correspondence, showing that the German Government, yielding to Secretary Bayard's representations, has exempted foreigners from the operation of martial law in Samoa, and has directed the German Consul at Apia to relinquish his control of the administration of those islands. The Senate has passed a resolution instructing the Foreign Affairs Committee "to inquire into Samoan affairs; reporting what measures are necessary and proper to protect the interests of American citizens therein, and to discharge any obligations of the United States to the people of those islands in the maintenance of their local Government from the interference of any foreign Power, aiid to secure the just rights and interests of the United States in the future control and government of those islands." The House will, on the first opportunity, pass the resolution already prepared, directing the President to take such steps —forcibly if it be deemed expedient—as are necessary and proper to protect and maintain the honour, dignity, and interests of the United States and its citizens, wherever dispersed, against the acts of the Emperor of Germany or his forces. Berlin, Ist February. This evening's North German Gazette publishes a foreign mmvmnique on the News Agency . statement from Auckland to the effect that the Germans had declared war against Mataafa. But